Alton Ellis

Alton Ellis ( born September 1, 1938 in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica; † October 10, 2008 in London) was a Jamaican rocksteady singer and musician, this style is regarded as one of the founders.

Biography

Ellis grew up in Trench Town and learned piano at an early age. Together with Eddie Parkins, he founded the duo Eddy & Arnold and released the single Muriel for the record company Coxsone Dodd of. The duo worked together for some time, but Parkins won a talent competition, which enabled him to leave Jamaica and move to the United States.

Ellis remained in Kingston and chatted with odd jobs until he found a new partner with John Holt. Also, this partnership was short-lived, since Holt joined The Paragons. Ellis founded together with his brother Leslie then his own group, the Flames. With Duke Reid, the group recorded several songs. Her first big hits in Jamaica were the songs Girl I've Got A Date and Get Ready - Rock Steady. The latter should also be named for the newer, slower ska style.

Ellis was able to expand its reputation as a singer and was ensnared by the two producers Reid and Dodd. His debut album Mr. Soul of Jamaica, a classic of the rocksteady sound, appeared at Reid. Finally, Ellis decided to put on but Coxsonne Dodd, who on a tour of the UK, where ska was just announced, sent him. In 1967 Alton Ellis Sings Rock & Soul. Shortly after he left, however, again by Dodd and signed with the Flames a contract with Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label. In the 1970s, to Ellis, Jamaica decided to turn his back, because he was unhappy with his financial situation. After a short time in the United States and Canada, he moved in 1973 to London. There he founded his own record label Alltone on which it first, mainly moved his old and new songs.

Due to the large success of Bob Marley Reggae supplanted its predecessor, the ska. This was Ellis ' pioneering work in the 1970s, something pushed back. Only in the early 1980s, he could make a name for himself back on the Reggae Sunsplash Festival by spectacular performances. In the 1980s and the 1990s Mad Mad Mad his song experienced a revival, first by a version of Henry " Junjo " Lawes (1981 ), later also as a sample in hip hop among others, Boogie Down Productions, Tupac Shakur and Notorious BIG.

1994 Ellis received the Order of Distinction of the Jamaican government for his contribution to Jamaican culture, 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae and World Music Hall of Fame. Published in 2004 a cover version of the song I'm Still in Love With You by Sean Paul and Sasha, the number 14 in the U.S. Billboard charts and # 6 on the British charts reached.

Until his death, Ellis remained active both as an artist and producer in the ska scene, played numerous concerts around the world until his health deteriorated. On October 10, 2008 Ellis died as a result of cancer.

Discography (selection)

  • Mr Soul of Jamaica ( 1967)
  • Sings Rock and Soul (1967 )
  • The Best Of (1969 )
  • Sunday Coming ( 1970)
  • Greatest Hits (1973 )
  • Still in Love ( 1977)
  • A Love to Share (1979 )
  • Mr Ska Bean'a (1981 ) (as Alton Ellis & The Heptones )
  • A New Day (1983 )
  • Daydreaming (1983 )
  • 25th Silver Jubilee (1984 )
  • Showcase ( 1984)
  • Continuation (1985 )
  • Jubilee Volume 2 (1985 )
  • Change My Mind (2000)
  • More Alton Ellis (2001)
  • Live with Aspro: Workin 'on a Groovy Thing ( 2001)
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